# Trump is Made Chair of the Kennedy Center **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [February 12, 2025, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248 "2025-02-12T21:55:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 32
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/621 "2026-06-20T04:36:39Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > But as I further noted, most people doing their jobs are looking to do their jobs. There’s a difference being being politically conscious and being actively subversive. Do you actually believe that the far-right Trump-picked band of yahoos at the Kennedy Center picked a construction crew totally above board and only because they were good at their job? That would be nice…and a first. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/622 "2026-06-20T14:02:28Z")
I doubt they hand picked the crew at all. The ones in charge don’t strike me as the type to think of workers as actual, independently thinking people with their own agendas. Or to think further than to pick the least expensive option to maximize lining their own pockets. They don’t appear to be cartoonish masterminds playing 5D chess. I would be surprised if the crew was other than an average set of construction workers. Seems like the more conspiratorially minded theories require some sort of paradox - that these are criminal masterminds yet simple-minded enough to be transparent to internet randos ---
**Author:** ![commasense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/commasense/32/3017_2.png) [@commasense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/commasense)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/623 "2026-06-20T14:47:08Z")
Since the plan from the start seems to have been removing the letters to comply with the court order, but putting up an unnecessary tarp to hide the fact of their removal, it seems obvious to me that someone in the chain of command would have made it _very_ clear to the workers and their bosses that no photos, videos, or other evidence of the work would be permitted. I wouldn’t be surprised if the workers weren’t allowed to take phones onto the work site. (It may be a standard safety rule that phones are never allowed on scaffolding.) ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/624 "2026-06-20T15:57:51Z")
> [@commasense](#): > > I wouldn’t be surprised if the workers weren’t allowed to take phones onto the work site. (It may be a standard safety rule that phones are never allowed on scaffolding.) From my limited experience working in proximity with construction crews, especially union crews like I understand those guys were, having a phone on you, especially when up on scaffolding, would be a serious offense. I think about it this way. When they were still putting up the the scaffolding, think back to one of the pauses while the guys were all standing on top looking at the spectators for minutes waiting for the next wave of materials to come up. Not one of those guys whipped out a phone to get a picture. What is your phone had see-through urge to snap even a sneaky quick picture? Anyway, speculation time. I believe the letters are down. The photographers that were able to get their peek behind the edges of the tarps saw enough to think the letters were coming down. I just can’t imagine a scenario where they did all that work to _pretend_ to take them down. Given how hastily they put those letters up, I think it’s entirely realistic to assume that they need some time to figure out what to do about the holes and the damage to the stones. I also think that analysis lag is entirely in line with the hopes for the appeal, so that as long as they can drag out the repair, the mounting points will remain for easy reinstallation. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/625 "2026-06-20T16:17:46Z")
Ok, I found this video of the removal of the P. It sure looks to me like the previous letters are gone once the P is out of the way. [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/MroGteP9DCc/maxresdefault.jpg "Why the Kennedy Center’s name is still hidden") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MroGteP9DCc) Time stamp around :43 seconds. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/626 "2026-06-20T16:37:08Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > He does not care what you say about him as long as you spell his name right. TRUM ? ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/627 "2026-06-20T16:43:47Z")
> [@Ancient\_Nerd](#): > > Does DC ever get heavy winds? We sure do! I used to work at the very southern end of Crystal City; IIRC, a neighboring building was undergoing renovations. I arrived at our building one morning and saw that a recent severe storm had shredded the construction workers’ office trailer. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2026, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/628 "2026-06-20T17:46:36Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > What is your phone had see-through urge to snap even a sneaky quick picture? My god. I can’t even figure out what I meant to type here. ---
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/629 "2026-06-23T01:36:03Z")
The Washington Post has acquired a photo from behind the tarp. The name is gone. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/22/photos-show-trump-name-is-off-kennedy-center-building/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/22/photos-show-trump-name-is-off-kennedy-center-building/) > **[Reddit - Please wait for verification](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fexternal-preview.redd.it%2Fnew-photos-show-first-look-at-kennedy-center-facade-without-v0-7vE6AUrkFJqIgCM-TD4GKpDx2F7f4YaK53m1br1UEXM.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1080%26crop%3Dsmart%26auto%3Dwebp%26s%3D14469a4e6d6df660ed4118fd4bc58b83d319b5a8)** ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/630 "2026-06-23T01:39:41Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The Washington Post has acquired a photo from behind the tarp. The name is gone. So much for all the conspiracy theories. I could expect some Emily Litella “Never mind” but not here. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/631 "2026-06-23T01:44:53Z")
> [@Smapti](#): > > The Washington Post has acquired a photo from behind the tarp. The name is gone. > > [https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/22/photos-show-trump-name-is-off-kennedy-center-building/](https://www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/06/22/photos-show-trump-name-is-off-kennedy-center-building/) I’m not surprised as that’s what I had predicted. So the tarp is still up due to some combination of childish vindictiveness (“I don’t want the public to see it”) and the hope that some Hail Mary appeal will allow the Orange Menace to restore them. But the perspective on the pictures is a little confusing. It would be more obvious if the original JFK lettering could be seen, but that appears to be below the scaffolding. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 3:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/632 "2026-06-23T03:23:56Z")
I can see “R FOR T” as in: (john f kennedy cente)R FOR T(he performing arts) But, yes, it’s hard to see. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/633 "2026-06-23T04:13:34Z")
I can’t really make out the letters though I can see them. The really weird thing is, they don’t seem to be on the building. To my eye, in both pictures they seem to be on some sort of surface away from the stone facade of the building. You can even see the stone of the building extending below this seemingly detached surface. Is this some weird optical illusion or are there yet more shenanigans going on? I mean, if those black things are the JFK name letters, what is the red arrow I drew pointing to, with the building facade extending behind and below some sort of surface holding the letters? [![](https://i.imgur.com/lhCh7uE.jpeg) ](https://i.imgur.com/lhCh7uE.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/634 "2026-06-23T04:36:21Z")
It occurs to me that the way the light is shining through the tarp and the scaffolding, that’s probably just an illusion of light and shadow. \ Never mind! So the tarp is still up out of sheer childish spite. No surprise. I’ve seen some interviews lately where the Orange Menace is clearly beset by growing dementia. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/635 "2026-06-23T05:17:01Z")
One thing we’re not seeing in this photo is any kind of substantial damage to the stone where the letters used to be. Whatever might be there seems to be small enough not to be visible from where any people would be able to view it. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/636 "2026-06-23T05:21:12Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > One thing we’re not seeing in this photo is any kind of substantial damage to the stone where the letters used to be. That surprised me, too. It’s possible they patched holes while they were up there. ---
**Author:** ![penultima\_thule](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/penultima_thule/32/3833_2.png) [@penultima\_thule](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/penultima_thule)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/637 "2026-06-23T05:21:55Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > The really weird thing is, they don’t seem to be on the building. The letters would not be “stuck” directly on the marble/granite surface. They’d be placed on a spacer rod which would in turn be bolted into the surface. Stuff doesn’t get lodged between letters and surface. Easier to clean. Easier to replace if necessary. Gives a 3D effect so looks better. etc. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/638 "2026-06-23T17:02:54Z")
[Gift link](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/06/23/arts/music/kennedy-center-trump-name-photos-tarps.html?unlocked_article_code=1.sVA._bvQ.KAw2mT3UVM63&smid=url-share) to a New York Times article with a peek behind the curtain. The photo was taken by an activist group. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/639 "2026-06-23T17:28:48Z")
I can’t see any damage from Trump’s letters. Methinks they were stuck on with double sided tape. Quick and cheap. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [June 23, 2026, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248/640 "2026-06-23T18:36:24Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Quick and cheap. Must. Not. Make. Joke. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248.md?page=31) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-is-made-chair-of-the-kennedy-center/1014248.md?page=33)